Cover lock



Sept. 11, 1934- J. 5. scHQFIELD COVER LOCK Filed July 25, 1933 Jbil/l 1S: lh mentor attorneys,

Patented Sept. 11, 1934 was 1,213.15; CQVER LOCK Jenn S- Stanfi d. Macon.

Appl ation Jul 25, 1938, S a 5 21 8 1 4? 3 Claims. (01, 'z0,,-.- 14.) v

This invention relates to a lock designed primarily for use in connection with the hinged covers ofrneter boxes and the like although it is to be understood that it can be used with any doors or covers adapted to be swung downwardly into closed positions.

An object of the invention is to provide the cover with a brace for supporting it in raised position, there being means in the enclosed structure for shifting the brace automatically into engagement with a supporting element when the door is raised and for likewise shifting the brace into engagement with a locking element or keeper when the door is closed.

A further object is to provide a combined supporting brace and lock which is simple in conconstruction, compact, efficient, and easily applied.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, 'the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a section through a portion of a meter box or the like having the present improvements combined therewith, the lid of the box being shown, by full lines, locked in closed position and, by broken lines, fastened in raised position.

Figure 2 is a section through one side of the box taken on line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of the box.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates a box or other closure provided with a lid 2 hinged at 3 and adapted to move downwardly into closed position. Connected to one side wall of the enclosure is a yoke 4 which is mounted to swing about an attaching screw 5 or the like. This yoke has a flat intermediate portion 6 the upper and lower edges '7 of which are adapted to engage the back edge of a brace 9 pivotally attached at 10 to the cover 2. This brace, which is preferably a flat strip of material, is slidable between the screw 5 and the intermediate portion 6, and this screw constitutes a keeper adapted to be seated in either of two notches 11 and 12 formed in one edge of the. brace. Each of onev wall perpendicular" to the edges of they br a awn at Wh l Qth el 1 he. notches are inclined so that the notches are substantially V-shaped. The inclined walls 14 of the notches diverge and these notches are so located that when the cover 2 is closed the keeper 5 will be seated in notch 11 whereas when the cover 2 is open cover 5 will be seated in notch 12. As the notch 11 has its lower Wall 6%;

13 at right angles to the edges of the brace it will be obvious that when the cover is closed and the keeper 5 is seated in this notch it becomes impossible to swing the cover to open position unless the brace is swung laterally so 7%,

as to become disengaged from the keeper. It will also be obvious that when the cover is open and the keeper is seated in notch 12, the wall 13 of said notch will rest on the keeper and prevent the brace 9 from sliding downwardly unless it 75 is first swung out of engagement with the keeper.

The brace is at all times arranged within the yoke 4. It is provided below the notch 12 with a tripping pin 15 and another tripping pin 16 is 8% arranged on the brace above notch 11.

Assuming that the cover is closed and the keeper 5 is within notch 11, it will be obvious that the cover cannot be raised unless the brace is shifted. This can be done by means of a suit- 8;

able key K the blade B of which can be so shaped as to move past a guard G into engagement with the brace and push the brace away from the keeper. This action will be permitted because the edge of the brace will press against the lower 9%;

edge '7 of the yoke 6 and swing the yoke upwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 a sufficient distance to provide the necessary clearance between notch 11 and keeper 5. As soon as the brace has been released the cover can be 9% moved upwardly until pin 15 strikes against the lower edge of yoke 4. This will cause said yoke to swing upwardly so that its upper edge 'I will press against brace 9 and cause it to shift and bring the wall 13 of notch 12 over keeper 5. 1 :1

Thus when the cover is released it will be supported against downward movement. To close the cover the brace is pulled away from the cover to disengage it from the keeper and said cover is then permitted to swing downwardly. 1,

As it reaches its closed position pin 16 will strike the upper edge of yoke 4 and swing it downwardly, thereby causing the lower edge 7 to press forcibly against brace 9 and shift it so as to position notch 11 with the keeper 5 therein and 113i,

in the path of the wall 13 thereof. Thus the cover is locked and cannot be opened until a proper key has been inserted.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a hinged lid, and a brace hingedly connected to and extending from the lid, said brace having spaced oppositely disposed notches, of a keeper adapted to be slidably engaged by the notched edge of the brace While the cover is being opened orclosed, a yokepivotally mounted on the keeper and embracing the brace, said brace being slidable longitudinally through the yoke to position one of its notches adjacent to the keeper, and means carried by the brace for delayed engagement with and actuation of the yoke to shift the brace to receive the keeper within the notch.

2. The combination Witha hinged cover, of a brace hingedly connected thereto and having spaced oppositedly disposed similar notches in one edge, a stationary keeper slidably engaged by the notched edge of the brace, a yoke pivotally mounted on the keeper and embracing the brace,

said brace being slidable freely longitudinally within the keeper and spaced means on the brace for alternate delayed engagement with the yoke to press the yoke against the brace and force a notched portion of the brace into engagement with the keeper.

3. The combination with a hinged cover, of a brace hingedly connected thereto and having spaced oppositely disposed notches in one edge, a stationary keeper slidably engaged by the notched edge of the brace, a yoke pivotally mounted on the keeper and embracing the brace, said brace being slidable freely in the direction of its length Within the keeper, and means for effecting a delayed operation of the yoke by the brace, said means comprising spaced projections 0n the brace for moving against and shifting the yoke about the keeper when the brace reaches the respective limits of its longitudinal movement, thereby to press the yoke against the brace and force a notched portion of the brace into engagement with the keeper.

JOHN S.- SCHOFIELD. 

